A CL60 aircraft operated by Triton Aviation safely returned to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport after its crew declared an emergency shortly after take-off, prompting an investigation by aviation authorities.
A private jet operated by Triton Aviation made an emergency landing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Thursday after reportedly losing a door mid-air shortly after take-off.
According to reports, the aircraft, identified by registration number T7-SEI, was travelling from Abuja to Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos when the incident occurred.
The aircraft reportedly took off from Abuja at about 4:17 p.m. UTC. Approximately three nautical miles from the airport, while climbing through 3,000 feet, the crew issued a “Mayday” distress call at about 4:20 p.m. UTC.
Following the emergency call, air traffic controllers directed the aircraft to return to Abuja for an emergency landing. Airport fire and medical teams were immediately alerted and placed on standby as a precaution.
The aircraft subsequently landed safely on Runway 22 at approximately 4:34 p.m. UTC, about 14 minutes after the distress call.
Following the landing, an air traffic controller observed that the aircraft’s door was missing from the fuselage.
Reports further indicated that some farmers discovered the missing aircraft door on farmland in the Abuja area.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) reportedly confirmed the incident, explaining that the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).
The NSIB has reportedly commenced investigations to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine what led to the aircraft losing its door during flight.
As of the time of reporting, further details regarding the number of people aboard the aircraft, possible injuries and the exact cause of the incident had not been officially confirmed.
